Prince William stood up for footballers facing racist attacks after the Euro Cup final...

When racist football fans levelled hateful slurs at Team England’s Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho following the team’s overtime shootout loss to Italy in Sunday night’s Euro Cup final, Prince William was quick to speak up.

The royal, both a football fan and the President of the Football Association in England, firmly and clearly denounced social media soccer hooligans for the racist remarks made in the wake of the loss, writing, "I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night's match. It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable.”  Will signed the Twitter missive with a 'W,' indicating that these were his personal views as opposed to a less impactful statement from his social media managers.

And while William’s words were on point, they left royal watchers more than a little confused. Where was William when the very racism he just derided on Twitter was being aimed at his sister-in-law, Meghan Markle? 

It’s a glaring omission that The Prince Of Wales’ social media followers were quick to spot. 

It’s fair to think that William’s silence in the wake of Meghan's allegations about racism inside the British monarchy (including abhorrent palace talk about what Archie’s skin tone might be while Markle was pregnant with him) says more about his views on racism than his comments (however spot-on) about racist football fans. True anti-racist action requires allies to confront those closest to them, with the risk of possibly alienating people who are unprepared to address their own racist patterns of thought or beliefs. William, it seems, took the safe path — one that might look good in a headline but does little to address the real roots of the problem.

Clarence House, the official social media platforms belonging to Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, also issued statements reading: "Recognizing the rich diversity of cultures which make this country so special — and in many ways unique — lies at the heart of what we can be as a nation." The statement was a quote from a speech Charles gave in 2020 but appears intended to address the racist football reactions, making the future King of England yet another royal who seems willing to speak out against racial hatred only when it doesn’t cost him too much.

Has anyone considered skipping a few generations and passing the queen’s crown directly to George or Charlotte?

BEFORE YOU GO: Prince George joins Will and Kate at Euro 2020 final

[video_embed id='2239818']BEFORE YOU GO: Prince George joins Will and Kate at Euro 2020 final[/video_embed]